“The chosen teen is welcome to play the role of Manpower Minister on that day. I believe that this kind of role playing is good political education,” Hanif Dhakiri said in his office when he received representatives from Plan International Indonesia, on August 18.

He added that with the program, his office could receive much-wanted input, as well as suggestions from the youths on the issues related to the ministry, such as issues on child labor, women labor, leadership, and people’s empowerment.

The minister further said the Manpower Ministry’s affairs were open to suggestions, input, ideas and critiques, especially those coming from the younger generation. The role play is seen as a good way to narrow the gap between people who criticize and those who are criticized. So, the critiques and ideas delivered will conform with the dynamics found in bureaucracy and government. “What often happens is that those who criticize see the government as deaf to inputs and critiques. But actually they should take into account the dynamics in bureaucracy.”

In the meeting, Communication Manager of Plan International Indonesia, Isni Ahmad said to commemorate International Daughter’s Day, Plant International launched a global campaign with the big theme of “Because I am A Girl”. And one of the activities is the Minister for a Day program for chosen teenage girls. “We want to thank the minister for his enthusiastic welcome to this plan and for “allowing” the chosen teen to play the role of a minister,” she said.

Minister Hanif is to be the first minister in over 70 countries where Plan International has its office, to participate in the program. In Indonesia the program is also set to be held at the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, and at the Social Affairs Ministry. There is a big chance that other countries will be interested in replicating the program and including it in the commemoration of International Daughter’s Day.

Plan International Indonesia will select girls aged between 15 and 27 years of age from across the country to play the role of the minister. To be considered applicants they are asked to upload their video blog (vlog), which the committee will then study. In their 30-second video clips, the applicants should present their view on issues concerning female labor, child labor, female Indonesian overseas workers, as well as early age marriages, the empowerment of a populist economy, female leadership and other topics.

Aside from the role of Manpower Minister, there will also be other functions chosen girls will get to play; they are the positions of the directorate general that the ministry has. “With this program, we want to help the chosen participants to learn about leadership, and decision making on issues related to manpower,” Isni said.

Plan International Indonesia country director Myrna Remata Evora said the message that International Daughter’s Day wanted to send was that female children also had the right to participate in the decision-making process which affects their future and the lives of female citizens. “In Indonesia, female labor and child labor remain a problem that requires a comprehensive solution so that there will be no more discrimination against women and children.”

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